NROTC College Programmer Question

My DS is a college programmer at Iowa State. He was recently informed that his name has been put “in the hat” for a scholarship. Questioning him, he seems to have no specifics – but it sounds to me like it might be similar to the full scholarship usually issued prior to freshman year. They wanted his physical updated, SAT scores re-submitted, freshman year first term grades etc.. Would they be going to all this effort if this wasn’t an advanced standing scholarship? DS seemed to think that he would be in competition with other programmers from the Midwest area. Any insight here for a confused dad?

My DS is a college programmer at Iowa State. He was recently informed that his name has been put “in the hat” for a scholarship. Questioning him, he seems to have no specifics – but it sounds to me like it might be similar to the full scholarship usually issued prior to freshman year. They wanted his physical updated, SAT scores re-submitted, freshman year first term grades etc.. Would they be going to all this effort if this wasn’t an advanced standing scholarship? DS seemed to think that he would be in competition with other programmers from the Midwest area. Any insight here for a confused dad?

My DS is a college programmer at Iowa State. He was recently informed that his name has been put “in the hat” for a scholarship. Questioning him, he seems to have no specifics – but it sounds to me like it might be similar to the full scholarship usually issued prior to freshman year. They wanted his physical updated, SAT scores re-submitted, freshman year first term grades etc.. Would they be going to all this effort if this wasn’t an advanced standing scholarship? DS seemed to think that he would be in competition with other programmers from the Midwest area. Any insight here for a confused dad?

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Not quite sure what's being referred to here. There is a standard process for Marine Option college programmers to apply for a scholarship. They do have to submit everything you mentioned. It is a national competition amongst all MO college programmers of that class year. I had assumed the process for Navy option was the same but perhaps not; maybe you need to be invited to apply on the Navy side, and it is only competitive at the brigade level?

BTW if he is a freshman then Advanced Standing has nothing to do with it. Advanced Standing is only available to rising juniors and does not involve a scholarship, only a stipend. These scholarships are usually referred to as "in-school" or "side-load" scholarships.

Check this thread about the number of scholarships for college programmers. It appears that your DS will be competing for 80 scholarships if he is a freshman this year. And, I do believe it's a national pool vs. a regional pool.

I don't want to discourage you, but I can tell you from experience that even when it appears that things are looking pretty positive for a scholarship, it is ultimately in the hands of people who don't know your son and how great he is. The CO and all of the unit staff at your son's school may be doing everything in their power to make the application packet shine, but money is tight and the pool of candidates is very competitive. But, that said, I am wishing the very best for you!! I feel your pain on so many levels!

My DS is completing his sophomore year. He remains at the top of his class and has been told that it looks 'very favorable' that he'll get a scholarship. They don't want to lose him and they don't want to have to disappoint him again. It's tough. But, as you point out, we'll know soon enough!

As kmaidaho said there are 80 side loads for class of 2016. The question is how many are applying for those 80 spots. Each unit has a different number of programmers and my guestimate would be 250-400. So to be competitive I would think the mid would need to be near the top of his/her unit and 85%go to technical majors. Hope this insight helps as we are also awaiting news on a 2 year scholarship for our DS.